Roland Go:Keys - A new generation of beginner keyboards| Gear4music Keys

[@hooyah_whit7054]

The perfect keyboard for truck drivers like myself!!! I would be able to practice and better my skills during my off duty time throughout the week!!! Massive sounds for such a budget friendly instrument!!! Thanks for this Roland!!! It's long overdue!!!🤘😎

[@anonymike8280]

Consider the Casio CT-S1 or the Casio CT-S400 depending on what features you want and what kind of music you play. Less pricey.

[@beefquiche]

​@@anonymike8280 nowhere near the same sound options, and no USBC. It's cheaper yes, but you're not getting 30% less, you're getting 60% less.

[@LandOfPOZ]

I pick up one of these and I'm blown away at the voice quality for the money! 😀

[@nikodimson]

It doesn't look like a starting point. Sounds really pro.

[@soundtreks]

great walk through Andy!

[@GatisKaulinsh]

It is really strange calling souch a Keyboard a beginner keyboard. Actually what defines what is Pro & what is not Pro? If we look back 10 years then those Pro were worse than any beginner keyboard we have nowadays. Just philospohical question! I am getting GO KEYS 5 in a week because I need connectivity for the Studio but I think this kayboard is excellent. I don't know about touch response yet but I guess that is a questionable thing for any keyboard out there.

[@doron986]

Exactly. It looks simple but have pro quantify sounds. I remember when the DX7 got out people said its not a Synthesizer because it have no sliders and many botons and they ware all wrong.

[@cinepost]

How is the MIDI interface?

[@rafaelcatarino8372]

This can't touch a Fantom. Any of them... They can brag all they want, but a pro keyboard will always be good. Motif, Triton, Fantom, any is way better. There's no cheap Ferrari.

[@DrewAgnew]

@@rafaelcatarino8372 totally agree but there are loads of Skint would be Ferrari owners out here that could do with a bit of inspiration and inexpensive help along the way ! I’m fortunate enough to have arturia keyboards with software to back up but owning an expensive hardware synth ? Why would you ? I’m a 65 year old that wants to look at my keyboard when I have minute and play some inspirational notes

[@rafaelcatarino8372]

@@DrewAgnew software it's great and it's come a long way the past few years. But nothing beats the punch of a great old horse we know very well and can take a bang :)

[@thepianoplayer416]

Great keyboard. Hope they have a 76 keys model. After playing for a while find that a 61 model rather limiting when playing more technical pieces.

[@joeglassy7821]

Nice review! I'm curious if the rhythm (percussion) part(s) can be separated out (via the audio outputs, and/or USB connection to a DAW) from the keyboard input per se. It might be fun to just record the percussion part as part of a backing track. The "mute out" feature may in fact accomplish this, but I couldn't tell what all is sent to the internal speakers vs what is sent out via the 1/4" audio outs and USB --> DAW. (...and I realize this might be accomplished using Stem Separations but I'd rather not have to do it that way.)

[@anonymike8280]

Consider carefully what your needs are. The Casio CT-S1 and CT-S400 are less pricey, have velocity keys, almost semi-weighted action and the Casio AiX sound engine. Every newer model of keyboard has MIDI output. The big question is, do you or don't you have a use for the arranger features? All of the front-line brands are good. Depends on what you need.

[@hussamasmar]

The casio is at roland ex10 level

[@anonymike8280]

@@hussamasmar I looked up the Roland EX-10. It looks like a deal for the price and it might be a good competitor to the Casio CT-S300 0r the Yamaha PSR-E373. At the price point, there is no way it can be equal to the instruments I discussed. It could be the right instrument for a certain person though. Songwriters have different methods and so instrumentalists. I have an 88-key keyboard and I have a Casio CT-S1 which I consider to be the best portable for my purposes. Don't eff with people's heads. I wanted acoustic piano emulation and that's what I got. I'm not advanced either, although I understand chord progression thanks to some background earlier in my life, and I'm already composing songs. What's right for any particular person is a delicate issue. Let people work it out.

[@hussamasmar]

@anonymike8280 Sorry, I don't know who you are and you don't know me. I have all these models plus many more 88 keys digital pianos and uprights and concert grands at my showroom, and I am a pianist. I am not effing people heads or selling anything as I am not in your country. However, the Roland ex10 is better than the cts400. The cts1 and the cts400 share the same keybed. If you need arranger function, u go for cts400. The cts300 is of lower level. It has the old sound chip and very basic keys with 2 curves of touch. So, there is no way it is at the level of the discontinued Yamaha or the roland ex10. The piano sound of casio is made with stereo sampling. Casio piano sound even in their advanced piano models doesn't reach Roland or Kawai piano sound as they both have much more advanced technology with 88 keys sampling with 8 layers. It is called the super natural at Roland and harmonic imaging at Kawai. Anyway, before you accuse people that they eff people etc, I would suggest u read more about technologies and play more pianos and keyboards to understand the differences. P.S. Casio AiX is far away from the Zencore chip of Roland and this arranger is higher than all Casio keyboards currently in production

[@anonymike8280]

@@hussamasmar Sorry, but you are even though you think you're not. Nobody knows anybody on the internet. That's not even a topic. You have a strong opinion, but people have their own needs and their own goals. I did my research and got what I needed for my purposes at the level I am on. My 88-key machine is a Roland FP-30X. I wanted acoustic piano emulation above all. That's also why I got the Casio CT-S1. It's a nice portable with a minimally semi-weighted action and an adult tone. The AiX is a very nice sound chip. Whatever Casio was using before was awful. I had a Casio CT-S200 and a Yamaha ESR 273 for a while. I sold both of them for about what I paid for them used and bought one 61-key portable.

[@afonsakelly8276]

I'm Brazilian and for us the keyboards can cost double, if you pay 500 dollars for us it gets 1000 dollars is very expensive.

[@doron986]

Same in Israel

[@alexchen5811]

thanks for this.. how did you set the sustain?

[@michaelbenge2388]

Does it have several electric piano/Fender Rhodes type sounds and 70’s organ/Hammond type sounds?

[@americanstreamer1910]

For those, you will be better off with the Roland VR-09 and the Roland Fantom models.

[@keithyboy123]

Whats with the chirps/blocks sound on the drum accents?? Can you edit these out....quite distracting...

[@dougie6897]

A real MIDI OUT 5 pin din would have been extremely useful and convenient.

[@gbkny1]

Yep, and make it sort of like a Yamaha MX40 synth/controller.

[@dougie6897]

@@gbkny1 precisely 👍

[@beefquiche]

​@@dougie6897 noob question. in the absence of a proper MIDI out, we must dump the MIDI file onto the PC over the USB connection? Many thanks.

[@dougie6897]

@@beefquiche more importantly it stops it from being a controller mother keyboard for desktop synths and older 19 “ rack mount synths.

[@securityrobot]

We used to have those in Woolworths, but they were called Bontempi organs.

[@Thetoad738]

It would be nice if it came with a sheet music stand.

[@DrSid42]

So it's very different to original Go:keys, do I understand it correctly ? There every style had 7 drum tracks, 7 bass tracks, 7 chord tracks, which you could combine as you wanted. Here it is just ABCD for every style with mute ? Also how long is the chord sequencer. Please don't tell me it's 4 chords. Guess I have to download the manual ..

[@RapManCZ]

what did you find? Is there a loop mix available in GO:KEYS 3?

[@DrSid42]

@@RapManCZ chord sequencer has 256 steps, so plenty for anyone .. not sure what you mean by "loop mix".

[@RapManCZ]

@@DrSid42 With loop mix, I mean this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5DXd6traq-fgLM

[@zoomzoom3950]

on the chord sequencer, can you set the length / number of measures for each chord? Can you set a time signature or key signature?

[@americanstreamer1910]

No, you cannot set the number of measures for each chord or control time and key signatures in the GO:KEYS 3 and 5. It’s a loop-based system more suited for quick and fun performances rather than detailed, structured song composition.

[@jenslempke7883]

Is it multitimbral and in that case is it about the same system as with the MC's and the MV with limited channels (not 16)?

[@americanstreamer1910]

No, the Go:Keys are not multitimbral like the MC series (MC-101, MC-707) or the MV series are. You can layer certain sounds or split the keyboard, but the the capability is more limited, as those are aimed at beginners.

[@diogoqueiroz4726]

Eu li em algum lugar que o 5 tem mais opções de atualização

[@alfredongom4755]

Where can I get this piano, and what's the price.?

[@michaelbenge2388]

Sweetwater has them.

[@LorraineIwakashdan]

I did order the previous Go Keys but I didn't like the fact you can't split the sound or layer up with a harmony like you can on other keys. Does it have the ability to be split?

[@wpsam52]

Can split and layer

[@LorraineIwakashdan]

@@wpsam52 Thanks. I wish I had read the answer yesterday when you wrote it. I ended up buying a second hand Fantom instead. Let's hope it can work for me!

[@michaelbenge2388]

And… does it transpose?

[@americanstreamer1910]

Yes, it does. You can change the pitch in semitone steps.

[@michaelbenge2388]

@@americanstreamer1910thanks!

[@jimfuqua3170]

Looks like he's hooked up to external speakers

[@jazzualdo]

Roland piano sound hasn’t changed much since 30 years or so.

[@BalakeHart-nh4xh]

Play the sounds,, less talk

[@Curious_Skeptic]

I remember looking at this at the retail music store. They didn't make it all that attractive. IT was just sitting in a stack of cardboard boxes with one sitting open. Looks like an advance Casio clone by Roland. LOL. Glad Roland has come around to making an affordable 'workstation' Roland should have done a better job with the style. It's very boring looking at face value. Doesn't tell the store of what lives inside there!

[@RevJock]

Very interesting😊 I have a question. You played the Styles by using I think, triad chords. Will one finger operation work to change from, for example G to C?

[@americanstreamer1910]

On the GO, you generally need to play at least a simple triad to change chords with the Loop Mix or Style features. So, if you want to change from G to C, you’ll need to play the corresponding G major and C major triads (G-B-D and C-E-G) rather than using a one-finger method.

[@DaW11db]

hello friend, sorry to bother you, i am considering buying this for standalone music creatin, is it possible to make multi track song / with more than 1 user track in a song? it is possible to add more tracks on user song later on keyboard?, i saw on one video that you can play your song and record at the same time adding new track with different tones/instruments to the song, can you confirm that? also can you make some user drum styles and use it "more user tracks workaround"? thanks

[@americanstreamer1910]

The Roland GO:KEYS lets you layer and overdub different sounds live but doesn’t have true multitrack recording or advanced editing capabilities. You can record additional layers over an existing user song, but you can’t manage each layer separately afterward. Custom user drum styles are not possible in the traditional sense, but you can use loops creatively within the Loop Mix feature. If you're looking for multitrack recording or custom drum programming, you'd likely need a more advanced keyboard like the Roland FA series, Fantom, or a dedicated DAW.

[@ArtemPanteleev]

Great job! Great overview, thanx!

[@blueeyedsoulman]

Full size keys?

[@nikodimson]

obviously. where have you seen mini keys in 5 octaves? )) (except toy-synths)

[@orionswitness]

The piece the host played near the end , let’s face it , sounded great . What will limit anyone on this equipment , would be their creative abilities to write original music , and or their playing ability. This piece of gear , would have been mind boggling to the likes of Kraftwerk and Pink Floyd , whose equipment would have cost hundreds of times more than this keyboard .

[@Wang_jyuan]

I get a gokeys3 last. I like it. It’s powerful and very useful.sounds great ❤

[@TheWeazel01]

The differences between the 3 and the 5 are so weird. Why not put normal line outs on a keyboard that costs a couple of hundred euro? Shouldn't that be standard on such a big device?

[@anonymike8280]

You have to consider what's really going on. They can create line out jacks that are just the headphone output rerouted. In that case, while you are gaining a little convenience, you are gaining nothing electronically. More sizzle, but no beef.

[@TheWeazel01]

@@anonymike8280 What you are gaining is a more sturdy connection that won't get damaged so easily in a working studio like a small headphone jack.

[@anonymike8280]

@@TheWeazel01 Okay, you have a point. But you have to be ready to deal with condition. Make a rig. Tape it to stand so it doesn't get yanked and pulled. Just don't use Gorilla Tape. It's called Gorilla Tape for a reason.

[@TheWeazel01]

@@anonymike8280 Of course you can come up with something to make it work. My thing is more that I'm surprised it doesn't have a decent line out. It's not expensive but it's also not a cheap toy. Just comes across as a sneaky choice by Roland to get you interested but still spend a 100 more than what you thought you were gonna spend.

[@anonymike8280]

@@TheWeazel01 ​ @TheWeazel01 Actually, the price difference between The Roland Go series and other 61-key keyboard is enough that they should have line out even if it's on the same circuitry as the headphone jack. I have a Casio CT-S1, which is in the low $200 price range. The Casios and Yamahas in the price range are not toys either. I wanted a 61-key portable with good acoustic piano emulation and that's what I got. I'm a good researcher. The Yamaha GO series is designed for and marketed to child and youth beginners. I concluded that it did not represent an improvement for my purposes over what I actually got. I also have an 88-key keyboard. By the way, I'm not advanced at all. I do have songwriter capabilities thanks to some literary ability and a good sense of chord progressions. I'm not capable as an instrumentalist at all.

[@Cacheola]

I'm a beginner, have a Yamaha P-515 but want something smaller and lighter to take onto my sailboat. Is this going to feel like a piece of junk in comparison?

[@americanstreamer1910]

For playing at home, better stay with your Yamaha P-515, as that one is aimed at professional players. For your sailing boat, the Go:Keys, which is aimed at beginners, is absolutely fine. It'll be a step down in several aspects, compared to the Yamaha P-515. But it'll do its job reliably and well.

[@lifesabeach8133]

I've just ordered a GoKeys 5. I've owned a Yamaha DGX 670 for a few months and I love that keyboard but it weighs 50 lbs, quite a beast. I'm practicing with a couple of other groups at other locations and need this portable unit. I'm sure that John is a fabulous musician, but the presentation is rather deadpan and not terribly enthusiastic. I'm sure John would just rather be in his studio making music, but if you're presenting on KZbin, it's nice for the viewers if he acts a bit like he wants to be there. As far as information, I would've liked more a tutorial style... showing which buttons do what and zoom in on the screen information, that type of thing. Also, no demo of the mic effects, which if you're buying the GoKeys 5 is likely an important feature (it is for me).

[@JoeSmith-v7o]

How about you make a video demonstrating all the sounds and features once you get your keyboard in?

[@LorraineIwakashdan]

Yeah...but he's kind of a famous music geek so we ignore the deadpan style because it means we are getting one of the best experts in the field demonstrating! 😂

[@tomminkler7640]

I am concerned about how to choose the sounds in the middle of a set on stage, would be nice to see how. On my old cheap $100 one (Yamaha i think?) it shows the sound numbers on the casing and has a number pad where you can type in a number and bring each sound right up. I'm afraid here i'll have to go into menu, tab back and forth and scroll through the sounds to select the next one? From another video i think there are presets you can set but only like 5? This keyboard seems like just what i need but i'm afraid to buy it and find that switching sounds is too much trouble! After watching more i do appreciate that he demonstrated lots of other features and capabilities in a straightforward way.

[@tomminkler7640]

What do you want, someone with a fake plastic smile being all "HEY, everyone!" LOL

[@NotOfThisEarth9]

@@tomminkler7640 Yes, it's one of its weak points, only 5 sounds to save. Agree, playing live you really need to know the keyboard sounds and how to find them with closed eyes. I've seen on critique of buyer on Thomann that pointed to the issue of taking time or interface/buttons not being intuitive to choose sounds quickly in a concert situation. It's a bummer to only be able to save 5 sounds, why not 20 at least, from out of all the 1000 plus? Not great, but nothing is perfect, I hope they fix it next time. I heard people complaining of speakers could be louder and sometimes they rumble on low notes of piano and e.pianos (2 major important sounds for most of keys players I assume?), others don't point that issue... But to record ideas, songs and record on computer it's not bad, for playing live or street performance one can always connect to PA or small amplifier. The next best option for me it's the Yamaha ck61 (good keyboard, 61 keys with speakers), but it's too expensive (~650 euros) to spend and carry around being afraid to brake a more expensive keyboard. I've seen that it also has an 8-track recorder that can store up to 99 songs and/or 30 000 notes, I guess that means one can layer/overdub instruments recording in one song project? Can one also be able to layer/add vocal track? It would be cool.. To my knowledge, for this price range, features and options I can't find a better deal than this. If someone knows better please say.